Diary of RACHEL R. SHELTON, 1942-1965 - Tazewell Co. VA January 3, 1942. The first real snow we had this winter was snowed today. January 3, 1943. Dad and I went to town to the hospital went in to see Runy Plaster. January 4, 1942. I went slay riding to night with Jack Harmon and Baby Plumer. January 5, 1942. Bettie and I went to the movies Charlis Ant with Jack Benny. January 6, 1942. All play ursy driving was cut out to day. January 6, 1942. Perry Lee Baldwin was examed for the Army. January 8, 1943. Howard Smith was examed for the Army. January 9, 1945. Bowen Sawyers landed in Calif after 5 years duty over sea's. January 10, 1942. Edna Emmett and I went to see Rosa at Christianburg. January 11, 1942. Rosa's family Ed Emmett and I had dinner at the Vanhooziers. January 12, 1943. Mr. Al. Lee died. January 15, 1942. The circle met at Miss Margaret Harmon's we served fig pudding with whip cream & coffee. January 15, 1943. Ed and I went house hunting for her. January 17, 1942. Mattie and I went to town tried to buy hair pins & bobbie pins couldn't find either. January 18, 1942. I went with Mattie to see her mother. She has a hurt hip. January 20, 1942. To day is Donnie Sayers 2 nd birth day I made him a cake with candles on it. January 21, 1942. We had dinner for a woman from England here to make a speech at the church in Tazewell. January 22, 1942. Bettie Byrd and I went to see the movie of One foot in heaven. January 22, 1943. I helped Ed move we had dinner with Jack and Ethel. January 22, 1945. I rec. a call Bowen was in Taz. I went up there and we had a nice time. January 23, 1945. Bowen his family and I had supper at a Mrs Green's He and I drove over to Bishop. January 24, 1945. Bowen brought me home. We went to see Miss Hattie & Margaret Harmon Mrs Huffman Then on to Ed's Moms Pauline's & Rosa's He leaves tonight for Ohio. January 26, 1942. I made the last payment on my silver ware to Tomchin Furniture Co. Bluefield, W. Va. January 26, 1944. Jessie Howard Smith was killed in the hill Creek mines at 4 o.clock. January 26, 1944. Estel and I went to Cliffield after Grandma. January 27, 1944. R C Smith came in for Howard's funeral. January 28, 1942. Today is mom's 45th birth day. Mattie Miss Margaret and Hattie and I went to the movie Christ Crifiction. January 28, 1943. Dad and I went up to Ed's Got a letter from Bill Smith he is in Africa. January 28, 1943. Luther Gillsman left for the Army. January 29, 1945. Roby Wilcox arrived in the States to day. He is in a hospital in Texas. He was wounded Oct 10, 1944 in Italy. January 30, 1942. I recived a gold credit card from the Tomchin Furniture Co. Certificate of Rating. January 30, 1944. Howard Smith was buried to day. February 1, 1965. We brought G H. Elswick home from Bluefield hospital. February 3, 1965. I went to the hospital Clinch Valley Clinic. February 4, 1944. Aunt Nannie Smith died. February 4, 1965. I was operated on this A.M. February 8, 1965. I left the hospital. February 9, 1942. Day light savings time started this A. M. February 9, 1946. John Elswick brought me home from Pauline's. February 9, 1952. Barbara Vandyke was married to day. February 11, 1944. Estel Smith left for the Army to day. I went to Tazewell with him. February 13, 1942. I bought a defence Bond with dimes I had saved. February 14, 1966. Mr. Elswick died at 10 min after 9. He was best friend I ever had. February 16, 1966. Mr. Elswick was buried to day. The funeral at 2 p.m. There were 60 some bunches of flowers. It sure was a sad day for me. February 21, 1946. Estel Smith Mable Johnson and Joe and I went to the show. February 23, 1946. To night is the last night I have to stay with Mable and Robert is coming home. February 25, 1952. I had the last of my upper teeth pulled. February 27, 1944. I spent the day at Uncle Arch's Baldwin. March 2, 1944. I spent the day with Virginia Taylor. March 5, 1944. I spent my first night with Pauline and J.D. March 13, 1945. I went to see the Dr. Mary Elizabeth Johnson. Had something wrong with my Kidney. March 14, 1943. Mary Cordle died about 10 A.M. March 15, 1945. Dr. Parson's was down to see me. I was really sick. March 16, 1945. Mable Johnson came to see me. March 19, 1944. Roy Lester died to day. March 19, 1945. Mrs. Huffman was over to see me brought oranges & apples. March 20, 1942. I started paying Dad's and mom's insurance. March 20, 1944. I got my 20 year insurance policy to day. March 21, 1942. I bought me a Cedar chest it cost $48.00 March 23, 1942. I bought my first Radio. March 23, 1943. Peary Lee Uncle Jonas and Aunt Laura was up Perry Lee leaves for the Army to morrow. March 24, 1945. James Vanhoozier is home on leave from the Army. March 25, 1942. Ed. & Emmett brought me home and took my Cedar Chest for me. March 27, 1944. Uncle Arch's baby was borned to day. They named her Rachel L-l. March 30, 1942. Bettie and I went to see the show of the Simes Twines. March 31, 1943. Dad & I got us some bees to day. April 1, 1943. Howard Smith left for the Army. April 3, 1947. My last date with Kelley. I ran off and left him. April 6, 1944. I heard from R. C. Smith he is in North Irland. April 10, 1943. Dad and I went to Ed's. Georgie Shell was there. April 11, 1944. Estel sent me a necklace. April 12, 1945. President Roosevelt died. April 13, 1945. I went to see Dr. Have to stay in bed two weeks. April 18, 1944. Mr. Willy Davis died. April 24, 19--. Mr. Lon Chouch died. April 24, 19--. Brother James left for Norfolk. I let him have $25.00 April 25, 19-- . Robert Shelton died. April 28, 1945. we heard over the radio Germany had surnded. But it wasn't true. April 29, 1944. B C Kendry got killed in mines. May 1, 1943. I bought a $25.00 war bond. May 2, 1945. Germany Surendered unconditional in Italy Perry Lee was there. May 2, 1948. my first date with G. H. Elswick we went to church took Mom and Dad. May 13, 1943. Spent the night with Sis West. May 13, 1943. Herman Newberry died he was in the Army. May 14, 1943. Mattie & I had supper with Mrs. Sayers. May 18, 1944. Grandma Baldwin was taken to the hospital. May 23, 1943. Mom & Dad went down to Pauline's for a while. May 23, 1951. G. H. Elswick gave me a Bulova watch. I am proud of it. May 24, 1944. Uncle Lester came got Grandma. She wanted to stay until Sunday. May 31, 1944 Mr. Mrs. Huffman Betty & I arrived in Craig Healing springs It is a lovely place. June 3, 1950. We spent our first night in Bland. June 8, 1944. Mrs. Huffman Betty and I had supper at the springs hotel from the bowling alley for my first trip. June 13, 19--. G. H. Elswick and I had a wonderful time in Bristol. June 15, 1945. James got home from the Navy. On leave. June 24, 1945. Bill Smith arrived home from over sea's. June 25, 1944. Mom and Dad went to see Grandma. Ed and Emm came down. James & I kept house. Estel Smith Junior Baldwin came down. July 1, 1944. Estel and I went to see Grandma Baldwin. We went on the mail Taxi. July 2, 1942. Rosa Elizabeth and I went to town in Christianburg. July 3, 1945. Mattie had her tonisles taken out I went to see her. July 8, 1944. I bought me another bond to day. July 12, 1942. There was expousion at Radford at 6 O.Clock one man died 6 more hurt. July 13, 1942. Two more of the men in the explousing died. July 20, 1942. Jimmy Vanhoozier was buried at 2 PM I kept Elizabeth over at Mrs. Graham's. July 21, 1942. Mrs. Graham helped me wash. We sur had a big one to. July 21, 1946. I went with Mattie Landon and the James family over in Smith County. My first trip over there. July 23, 1942. Ed & Emmett came after me at Christianburg Grandad Shelton was dead. They found him in bed dead. Dr. said he had been dead several hrs. July 23, 1943. Sailey Shelton died at 2 AM. July 24, 1943. Grandma came dowm. July 24, 1942. Grandad Shelton was buried to day at Hankins Cemetery. July 26, 1944. Ed was operated on to day. July 27, 1965. G. H. Elswick was operated on for cancer. July 28, 1942. Bill Smith left for Fort Braggs N.C. August 1, 1942. Dad Pauline Dorothy and I went to Church at Red Ash. August 3, 1944. Uncle Jim Smith got a telegram saying Bill had been wounded. He was in France. August 6, 1944. They found Uncle Wiley Newberry dead at rider bank at the mouth of hill creek. Say he died some time on Sat. after noon. August 9, 1945. The Russians declared war on Japan. August 16, 1942. Grandma came down to day. Uncle Jonas brought her. August 17, 1956. G. H. Elswick gave me my real Opal ring to day. Sure am proud of it. August 20, 1942. I helped Miss Hattie & Miss Margaret fix supper for company. August 21, 1942. Mattie and I went to town to the fair also went to see Sis West. August 21, 1944. Lillian and I went to see the movie snow white & seven dwarfs. August 21, 1944. Uncle Geo. Baldwin & family spent the night at our house. August 24, 1944. I went with Mattie & Landon to her mother's. August 26, 1944. Mattie Landon and I took his Aunt Kate & Uncle Will to Francis. August 28, 1943. Rosa came home James is working at Fair day. September 8, 1949. G. H. Elswick and I left at 5 AM for Lewis got there at 6 pm. Our first trip out there. September 9, 1944. Mom Dad Budgie & Jason went to Uncle Lector's for the night. Ed. E. & Lillian and I kept house. September 9, 1949. We all went fishing on Mr. Rowe's boat. Caught 167 fish and had a good time. September 10, 1949. Lewis Margie G. H. Elswick and I went to town and to a movie. Had a good time. September 11, 1949. Lewis Margie and G. H. Elswick and I crossed the ferry went to Buck row beach. September 12, 1949. G. H. Elswick and I left Lewis for home at 7 AM and arrived home 12 AM We really enjoyed the trip. We came back across the James river bridge. It cost $1.00. September 13, 1942. Mattie and Landon came home with me for dinner for the first time. September 16, 1944. I spent the night with Virginia Taylor. September 21, 1943. Mom is in the hospital for blood poison. September 24, 1946. Edna and I went to Lewis at Glass Va. September 25, 1943. Mom came home from the hospital. September 25, 1946. Lewis and Margie met us at the train in Lee Hall. We all went to Mrs. Rowe's for dinner. September 26, 1946. Went fishing on Mr. Rowe's boat had a nice time. September 30, 1946. We left Lee Hall for home at 6 PM. October 1, 1946. Ed & I arrived home at 7:10 PM. October 2, 1942. Grandma came up. From Uncle Jonas to day to stay until Sunday. October 2, 1944. They took Pauline to the hospital. October 5, 1944. Pauline's baby was borned dead. They operated on her she was real bad. October 6, 1944. I went to Honaker with Bill Mullins to bury Pauline's baby. October 17, 1944. Estel and I went to see Grandma we sit up all night. October 28, 1944. I spent the night up at Grandma's. We sit up all night she is real sick. November 4, 1944. Mom went to see Grandma. November 5, 1944. Grandma Baldwin died this AM at 20 minutes past 10 AM mom was with her when she died. November 7, 1944. Grandma Baldwin was buried to day at the Sparks Cemetery. Mr. Scott was in charge of the funeral. It was at the Church at Cliffield. The Preachers Rev. Foot and Rev. Hampton. November 10, 1943. Perry Lee Baldwin left for the Army. December 4, 1944. Jake Jr. Huffman left for the Army to day. December 5, 1965. We took G. H. Elswick to Bluefield hospital. December 6, 1956. Dad died about 5 minutes after 1 AM at the Clinch Valley Clinic. December 9, 1956. Dad was buried to day. Oh what a sad day for we loved him so much. It has been a bad day. December 13, 1965. G. H. Elswick and I left Fla. Going home for him to go to the hospital. December 15, 1965. G. H. Elswick went to the hospital. Was real sick I stayed with him day and night. December 31, 1941. Mrs. Huffman Bettie and I went to Bluefield had supper at Jimmies came home on bus went to mid night show. December 31, 1942. Bettie & Boots Harmon and I went to the show. ****Submitter Note: IN THIS DIARY I ALSO FOUND A PIECE OF PAPER WITH A HANDWRITTEN POEM ON IT I AM ASSUMING THIS WAS WRITTEN BY MY AUNT DURING WORLD WAR II TO EXPRESS HER FEELINGS OVER THE DEPARTURE OF SO MANY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO FIGHT IN THE WAR**** Recompense If I had my way, there'd be no more war, Jackie doesn't live here anymore! Charlie too has gone away and Frank he leaves in another day1 Jim was first and I missed him so. But Fred he helped me bear the blow. And when he went there were Tom and Dick But they went! This war it makes me sick! Cause I'm always all alone cept Bill and John And I use their shoulders to cry upon. Oh, they've been called! I'll weep when they go, But I'm gonna join the USO! Cause gosh I just don't have to mourn. I'll always like a man in uniform. Submitted by Willy Shelton **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************